My cousin came to me one time aft
er completing her degree requirements and asked if she should continue on with a master’s degree after her bachelor’s completion. I commented it would be good to get some experience in her field of concentration to understand why a higher degree would be advantageous and what field of study to pursue at that level. Of course, she did just the opposite and continued in college receiving her master of management degree, then found it hard to find a job at the master’s level with no experience. Duh!
Once she did find a job, it lasted a few years, then layoffs began and those in management were given their walking papers. Of course, she with the least experience and seniority was one of the first ones targeted for release. Trying to find another job with a master’s degree was difficult. She finally found one with the federal government. She later returned to college and received a PhD recently and is now teaching at the collegiate level.
I use my cousin’s job journey to illustrate how hard it is to be educated, but no real experience doesn’t really help – much like politicians.
I have always looked at politicians, especially in the last 20 years as “cookie cutter” types – smiling, clean image, married, good looking kids, accomplished in politics, Ivy League education – the stereotypical politician, especially at the federal level, and thought when is a real person going to run for office? Who goes to Ivy League schools if not to be heads of industry or a professor? What is so fulfilling to be a politician? I finally figured it out, think about it yourself.
They all struggle to get people/companies to support their runs for congressional positions and spending millions of dollars to get there for a job paying what most middle managers at corporations make. What is the big draw? Power and money — power to make and influence legislation, and as a result, rake in millions of dollars in under the table money or investments in sure things that those in positions of power can make recommendations for investments to be made for the congressperson’s portfolio. Mo money, mo money, mo money!!! Ever wonder how congresspersons always walk away after years in government on an income of less than $200,000 per year and they are millionaires or multi-millionaires?
I would much rather prefer a politician from a state college, struggling through school to pay the bills, getting good grades, but not all 4.0 +. Someone with common sense, with values and good sound judgment, with a good relationship with his parents and God – yeah, I know, this sounds almost too good to be true. But there is hope someone out there will meet my ideal, but not this round of presidential elections.
Everyone wonders what people see in Trump. I can tell you that without a second thought – he’s not a politician, he’s a successful businessman. He has power and he doesn’t need the money. In short, he doesn’t need the position. This is appealing to many voters – both independents and republicans, but not Remocrats such as Speaker Paul Ryan or Senate Leader Mitch McConnell. The Republican Party is going through a metamorphosis process, which will bring new blood into the party with independents joining because of Trump.
Whether he would be a good and competent president remains to be seen, but the choices on the left are a curmudgeon socialist/communist senator or a proven incompetent secretary of state, poor performing senator, and at this point, someone facing a possible indictment for handling classified information on a private server.
Trump came from common stock, his father was in the construction/real estate business and amassed a fortune through hard work. Mr. Trump was given one million dollars to start a business by his father and amassed it into billions over time through hard work, negotiation, buying distressed or undervalued properties and turning them around either through renovation or building new on the properties.
Anyone he has worked with in the construction industry – highly regulated and unionized – loves the guy because he does things right and doesn’t cut corners. He’s abrasive, he gets things done, and he keeps his promises. Now he is a politician. I hope he doesn’t change much, but I know the pressure of the forces of change will be upon him. He certainly isn’t my first choice as president, but I think we could do much, much worse by electing the opposition.
If you want four to eight years of another Obama administration, vote Democrat. If you want to see this country spiral downward like the past eight years, vote Democrat. If you want to see the deficits and debt pile on, vote Democrat. You want to see more illegal immigration continue, vote Democrat. If you want to see more racial divide, vote Democrat (it’s their main way to keep power). If you want to see less and less job creation, vote Democrat. If you want higher and higher taxes, vote Democrat.
Otherwise, the choice is clear.
